Cal football preview: predictions

Best-case scenario: If the offensive line comes together and a young but talented defense matures, the Bears could win eight games and finish in the top three in the Pac-12 North in their return to Memorial Stadium.

Worst-case scenario: If quarterback Zach Maynard cannot escape his sometimes erratic past and the offense doesn't exploit its potential, the Bears will find themselves repeating the past two seasons, when they played a series of close games and didn't win enough of them.

Bottom line: This should be Tedford's best team in three years. There are questions, but the Bears also boast speed on both sides of the ball, experience at key offensive skill positions and good depth in the defensive front seven. No one will be satisfied with another 7-6 record.